Local actress gets global audience by battling space Nazis in sci-fi film

It's not enough that San Clemente's Stephanie Paul is an actress, a stand-up comic, a public speaker and an acting teacher. To movie fans around the world who have seen her in the sci-fi movie "Iron Sky," she's also the president of the United States, out to save the world.

The New Zealand-born actress – who is now a U.S. citizen – stars in the German-Finnish-Australian thriller that asks, what if the German Nazis were more advanced than the world knew in 1945? What if Nazi geniuses escaped the fall of Germany in rockets to the moon, set up civilization on the dark side and for 70 years plotted revenge?

We asked Paul about it:

Q. How did you score a role as president of the United States?

A. One of the co-producers of "Iron Sky," New Holland Films, is based in Australia. I worked with them on a New Zealand/Australian co-production, "Separation City." They suggested that I read for two of the roles in the film and put them on tape for the director. The director in Finland loved it. I was booked. I burst into tears when I booked the role of president of the United States after just becoming a U.S. citizen one month before.

Q. It's a sci-fi thriller, but it's also a comedy. How does that manifest in your role?

A. The character of the president in "Iron Sky" is very concerned with working out in the Oval Office and with votes. She is always looking for the next hottest way to campaign.ï¿½ So not only does she send a black male model (Chris Kirby) to the moon for a publicity stunt (he comes back white), she gets excited about the prospect of the Germans attacking Earth because it makes her a "wartime president." Statistics show that all presidents who start a war get re-elected, or so she states in the film.

The writers put plenty of political satire in the film based on real events. The director's cut has just been released. I think it is the funniest version.

Q. When was the film released? How is it doing?

A. "Iron Sky" premiered in Berlin ... on Feb. 11, 2012, and continues to be released in other countries this year, most recently France. It is quickly being named a cult classic.

"Iron Sky" has since been released in 46 countries worldwide, heading for a total of 82, as some are still set to release both theatrically and on DVD. Box-office figures are still climbing, with Germany being one of the biggest successes at $4 million. ... Currently it is sitting over $15 million worldwide and growing.

Q. Will it be released in America?

A. Sadly, a major distribution company backed out at the last minute because they felt it was "too political" so close to the election. However, I have sat in five screenings of it over the country and it is very well-received by Americans. ... You can purchase it on Netflix to watch on the Internet, or buy a DVD on Amazon or at Target. Theater screenings have been organized by fans all over the country through tugg.com.

Q. Are the producers doing a sequel?

A. They are currently writing the sequel, and because the character Madame President was so popular from the first film it will be heavily featured in "Iron Sky II." The "Iron Sky" mania continues to grow with the release of a comic book series and soon-to-be released digital game, "Iron Sky – Invasion," which heavily features Madame President.